📦 Python Env Manager Guidelines#

📦 Conda Environment Guidelines#

**🛠 The Main Tools (And What They’re Good At)**#
Tool	Create Environment	⚠️ Activate Environment	Critical Notes
conda	conda create -n py311 python=3.11	conda activate py311	Full Anaconda distribution with many preinstalled packages.
miniconda	conda create -n py311 python=3.11	conda activate py311	Minimal installer. Lightweight. Recommended for most users.
mamba	mamba create -n py311 python=3.11	conda activate py311	Drop-in faster alternative to conda. Needs conda to run.
micromamba	micromamba create -n py311 python=3.11	micromamba activate py311	No Python or conda needed. Very fast. Shell hook required.

**⚖️ Feature Comparison (In Plain Words)**#
Feature	conda	miniconda	mamba	micromamba	Critical Notes
Size	Large	Medium	Large	Very Small	micromamba is ideal for minimal or embedded environments
Language	Python	Python	C++	C++	mamba/micromamba are faster due to compiled language
Installation	GUI/CLI	CLI	via conda/pip	Static binary	🚀 micromamba: no Python needed, portable
Speed	Slow	Slow	Fast	Very Fast	mamba/micromamba offer drastically faster performance
Conda env creation	✅ Support	✅ Support	✅ Support	✅ Support	✅ All support full conda environments
Scripting / Docker	⚠️ Heavy	⚠️ Moderate	⚠️ Heavy	✅ Lightweight	micromamba is best suited for Docker and automation
Activation support	✅ Support	✅ Support	✅ Support	✅ (via hook)	micromamba requires manual shell integration
Use in CI/CD	⚠️ Slower	⚠️ Moderate	✅ Fast	✅ Best	micromamba is ideal for CI/CD pipelines
GPU support	✅ Support	✅ Support	✅ Support	✅ Support	✅ All support CUDA & GPU packages
Platform support	All	All	All	All	micromamba supports Linux/macOS/Windows (via shell)

Use conda if you want the full Anaconda experience on local machines. Full-featured but heavy. Best for GUI users or those needing full Anaconda.
Use miniconda for lighter installs with more manual control. Lightweight, clean base. Ideal for custom setups.
Use mamba for speed, especially when resolving complex dependencies interactively. Same usage as conda, but much faster. Great for large envs.
Use micromamba in containers, CI/CD, or when minimal overhead is critical. Tiny single binary, perfect for Docker, CI/CD, and scripting.

Create the environment with only default (base) packages:

# (conda or mamba) Create New Env and install ``scikit-plots``
mamba create -n py311 python=3.11 ipykernel -y

# (conda or mamba) Create New Env and install ``scikit-plots``
conda env create -f environment.yml

conda activate py311

Create the environment with both base and extended packages:

conda create --name py311 --file environment.yml --group extended

Add the optional extended packages later to an existing environment:

conda install --name py311 --file environment.yml --group extended